Yellowwood State Forest: Lake-Scarce O' Fat Loop (Blog Hike #174)

Trails: Lake, Jackson Creek, and Scarce O’ Fat Trails

Hike Location: Yellowwood State Forest

Geographic Location: southwest of Nashville, IN (39.17679, -86.34067)

Length: 7.4 miles

Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate/Difficult)

Dates Hiked: May 2005, June 2015

Overview: A loop hike offering good lake views and a trip through secluded Caldwell Hollow.

Forest Information: https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/yellowwood-state-forest/

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=719475
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From Nashville, take SR 46 west 6 miles to Yellowwood Rd. and turn right on paved Yellowwood Rd.  If you are coming from Bloomington, you would go east on SR 46 for 11.2 miles and turn left on Yellowwood Rd.  Yellowwood Rd. is marked with a sign for Yellowwood State Forest from either direction.  In 1.2 miles, cross an old wooden bridge and bear left, still on Yellowwood Rd.  The pavement runs out at an intersection in another 0.9 miles, and you should bear left again, now on a gravel road.  In another 0.4 miles, turn right onto a rough gravel road.  Ford the creek (solid gravel base and only a couple inches deep at normal water levels) and park in a parking area at the base of Yellowwood Dam, where the road ends.

The hike: Yellowwood State Forest derives its name from the light green leaves of the locust trees that cover the hillside in this part of Indiana.  As you can tell from the directions to this trailhead, the forest is quite secluded, so you are likely to find a good amount of solitude even in peak hiking season.  Indeed, the hills in this area make for great leaf peeping in October, and this destination would make a good alternative to adjacent crowded Brown County State Park.  As an added bonus, whereas the state of Indiana charges admission for their state parks, they neglect to do this for their state forests.

            Regardless of its famous neighbors, Yellowwood makes an admirable hiking destination in its own right.  In addition to several picnic areas, an 80-site campground is located on the east side of the lake.  Indeed, with the hustle and bustle of Indianapolis only an hour away, a quiet evening in the Yellowwood forests can be just what the doctor ordered.  A bridle camp and four horse trails totaling 15.5 miles, including a connector to the Brown County State Park Bridle trail system, give added amenities.

            The state forest also provides a top-notch hiking experience for those willing to get off the beaten track.  The forest’s two main hiking trails are the Lake Trail, a 4.5-mile trail that circles Yellowwood Lake, and the Scarce O’ Fat Trail, a 4.7 mile trail leading to High King Knob and through Caldwell Hollow.  Using parts of these trails, part of a horse trail, and part of the short Jackson Creek Nature Trail gives a 7.4 mile loop hike that visits all of the forest’s main attractions.

Trailhead near Yellowwood Dam

            From the west end of the dam, pick up the Lake Trail as it goes around a vehicle gate on a wide track, then veers off to the right onto single track dirt trail.  The Lake Trail is marked with wave-shaped paint blazes.  The trail pretends to climb Bill Jack Ridge on your left, but the summit is never attained, and the lake will always be in view on your right.   

After 0.4 miles, the trail begins to switchback downhill toward the first of four tributaries to Yellowwood Lake.  None of these creeks are bridged, and the area around the creeks can be a bit wet in season, but good hiking boots should keep your feet clean and dry.  Each of the ravines is steep, but the trail is well-graded using switchbacks when necessary, so only minimal effort is required.

Overlook of Yellowwood Lake

            At 1.5 miles, the trail crosses the last of these tributaries, and the upper end of Yellowwood Lake is reached.  A marshy area filled with cattails can be seen to your right.  At 1.8 miles, the trail enters a pine forest, a planted area dating from the CCC-era, and intersects the Jackson Creek Trail.  The Lake Trail turns right here, but you should continue straight ahead on the Jackson Creek Trail, which is blazed with white diamonds.

            The Jackson Creek Trail is a self-guiding nature trail that loops around the Jackson Creek ravine, the water source for Yellowwood Lake.  Numbered posts along the trail correspond to a self-guiding trail brochure available at the state forest office on the east side of the lake.  This hike only uses a small piece of this trail, so a brochure would be of little help for this hike. The map calls this area Sol Pogue Hollow.  

Mathprofhiker's backpack and staff along the trail

            The trail climbs to a bluff with the creek on the right then descends to another trail intersection beside the creek.  The Jackson Creek Trail turns right here to close its small loop, but taking an unblazed trail to the left will steer you along our loop.  Though not an official part of the trail system, this old logging road is well-worn, easily followed, and makes a nice connector with the Scarce O’ Fat Trail.  The old road makes a fairly steep ascent of Scarce O’ Fat ridge before leveling off when reaching the top.  3.2 miles from the start, or 1 mile since leaving the Jackson Creek Trail, the old road comes out at Horse Trail Z, ending your stint on unofficial trail.

            Turn left on the wide horse trail and begin your walk along Scarce O’ Fat Ridge.  This horse trail also follows an old logging road, and damage from horse traffic is not readily apparent.  Thick locust trees on either side preclude any views from the ridge.  At 4.5 miles, reach a major intersection.  Horse Trail Z angles to the left, Horse Trail X continues straight ahead, while the Scarce O’ Fat Trail departs as a hiking only trail to the left and coincides with Horse Trail X straight ahead.  This hike follows the combined Horse Trail X and Scarce O’ Fat Trail that leads straight ahead.  Note that turning left along either Horse Trail Z or the Scarce O’ Fat Trail would return you to the trailhead in 1.7 miles and short cut this hike.

            In 0.3 miles, Horse Trail X exits to the right, while the Scarce O’ Fat Trail, which this description now follows to its conclusion, continues straight on the old woods road.  At 5.1 miles, top a rise that, at 895 feet above sea level, marks the highest point on this hike.  Stay atop the ridge until, at 5.6 miles, a double blaze indicates a turn.  Indeed, the trail turns sharply left off of the woods road and onto a single track trail and begins descending switchbacks into Caldwell Hollow.

Descending into Caldwell Hollow

            After four switchbacks, the trail reaches creek level in the hollow.  It’s hard to imagine a more peaceful place.  The hollow’s steep sides keep out almost any intrusion. Only the birds and the gentle creek bubbling along can be heard.  Only trees, shrubs, and the hollow’s walls can be seen in any direction.  This hollow also provides a colorful wildflower display in late April and early May as various varieties of wildflowers carpet the floor.

            The trail follows the creek downstream and crosses it several times.  During times of low water, these crossings can be jumped or rock-hopped to keep feet dry, but hiking boots might be required during the wetter season.  At 5.2 miles, cross this creek for the last time and begin ascending High King hill.  While the hill’s name makes a nice pun with your current activity, the name simply comes from the fact that this hill was the highest point on a piece of land owned by someone named King.

            The hardest part of the climb comes first, as 90 feet of elevation are gained in the next 0.2 miles.  Still, switchbacks are used to make the grade very manageable.  The trail continues to ascend, albeit more gradually, and 6.5 miles from the start, reach a sign announcing your arrival to the summit of High King Hill.  You are now 765 feet above sea level and 170 feet above Yellowwood Lake, which can be seen through a small opening in the trees on your left.  The best view can be had just after passing the summit sign, but no benches or designated overlooks are provided.  Keep alert so that you don’t miss the small opening.

Summit of High King Hill

            Past the summit, the next 0.3 miles of trail descend the steep hillside back to the entrance road.  Although switchbacks make the descent manageable, the trail still involves some steps and steep spots, so watch your footing.  At 7.2 miles, ford the same creek that you forded as you drove in, but this time with the aid of some stepping stones.  Just after this crossing, the trail comes out on the entrance road.  Turn left and walk a short distance to your car to complete the hike.  While you are at Yellowwood, two shorter self-guided trails, the Jackson Creek and Resource Management trails, await you on the east side should a little more hiking be in order.